Schlumbergera plant named ‘PKMSC01’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Schlumbergera truncata  plant named ‘PKMSC01’ particularly characterized by large upright to vertical flowers; flowers which have petals which are red-purple (RHS 68A) and a white throat (RHS NN155D); large quantity of flowers per plant; slow growth habit and freely branching habit; and ovoid to lanceolatoid buds, which are yellow-green (RHS 145D) in color.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Schlumbergeratruncata.

Variety denomination: ‘PKMSC01’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofSchlumbergera plant, botanically known as Schlumbergera truncate(Haworth) Moran., commonly known as Christmas Cactus, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘PKMSC01’.

Schlumbergera (formerly Zygocacatus) of the Cactaceae family, consistsof 6 known species which are epiphytic cacti and native to Brazil.Common names for Schlumbergera plants include: Crab Cactus for thecultivar's claw-like phylloclade margin, Thanksgiving Cactus forcultivars which bloom in November, and Christmas Cactus for cultivarswhich bloom in December.

The new Schlumbergera ‘PKMSC01’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, Christian Hald Madsen, in Søhus,Denmark. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a newSchlumbergera cultivar with an upright and compact plant habit andflowers with a unique color combination.

The new Schlumbergera ‘PKMSC01’ originated from a cross made by theinventor, Christian Hald Madsen, in 2002 in Søhus, Denmark, between twounnamed, unpatented proprietary Schlumbergera truncate (Haworth) Moran.cultivars. The new Schlumbergera ‘PKMSC01’ was discovered and selectedby the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of thestated cross in a controlled environment in 2006 in Søhus, Denmark. Theinventor selected the new Schlumbergera ‘PKMSC01’ based on its compact,freely branching habit and unique flower color.

Asexual reproduction of the new Schlumbergera ‘PKMSC01’ by phyllocladecuttings, followed by trial production batches, was first performed inApril of 2007 in Søhus, Denmark, and has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘PKMSC01’ which in combination distinguishthis Schlumbergera as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Large upright to vertical flowers;    -   2. Flowers which have petals which are red-purple (RHS 68A) and        a white throat (RHS NN155D);    -   3. Large quantity of flowers per plant;    -   4. Slow growth habit and freely branching habit; and    -   5. Ovoid to lanceolatoid buds, which are yellow-green (RHS 145D)        in color.

No plants of either parent, both an unnamed, unpatented proprietarySchlumbergera truncate (Haworth) Moran. line, are available to provide abotanical comparison to the new Schlumbergera ‘PKMSC01’.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to the new Schlumbergera ‘PKMSC01’ is theunpatented Schlumbergera truncate (Haworth) Moran. ‘Dark Eva’. Inside-by-side comparisons trials conducted over several seasons by theinventor in Søhus, Denmark, plants of ‘PKMSC01’ differ from plants of‘Dark Eva’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of ‘PKMSC01’ produce wider phyllocladia (measuring        about 30 to 40 mm width) than plants of ‘Dark Eva’ (phyllocladia        measuring about 20 to 30 mm);    -   2. Plants of ‘PKMSC01’ produce yellow-green (RHS 145D) buds        whereas plants of ‘Dark Eva’ produce red-purple (RHS N67B) buds;    -   3. Plants of ‘PKMSC01’ produce a striking mature flower color        combination of red-purple (RHS 68A) petals with a white (RHS        NN155D) throat, whereas plants of ‘Dark Eva’ produce flowers        with a mature flower color combination of red-purple (RHS N74A)        petals with a white (RHS NN155D) throat; and    -   4. Plants of ‘PKMSC01’ produce yellow-green sepals (RHS 145C)        whereas plants of ‘Dark Eva’ produce greyed-purple sepals (RHS        187D).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Schlumbergera cultivar ‘PKMSC01’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘PKMSC01’.

FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of‘PKMSC01’, grown in a 9 cm pot, about 24 weeks after planting of rootedcutting.

FIGS. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical bud of ‘PKMSC01’

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of a typical flower of ‘PKMSC01’

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of typical phyllocladia of ‘PKMSC01’

FIG. 5 shows side-view comparison view of a typical flowering plant of‘PKMSC01’ (on the left) and a typical flowering plant of the comparisoncultivar ‘Dark Eva’ (on the right).

FIG. 6 shows a side-view perspective view of a typical bud of ‘PKMSC01’compared to a typical bud of the comparison cultivar ‘Dark Eva’.

FIG. 7 shows a side-view perspective view of a typical fully-openedflower of ‘PKMSC01’compared to a typical fully-opened flower of thecomparison cultivar ‘Dark Eva’.

FIG. 8 shows a side-view perspective view of typical phyllocladia of‘PKMSC01’ compared to a typical phyllocladia of the comparison cultivar‘Dark Eva’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Schlumbergera ‘PKMSC01’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may varywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, andday length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘PKMSC01’ asgrown in a glass-covered greenhouse in Fyn, Denmark, under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.Plants of ‘PKMSC01’ are themo-photo-periodic and will develop buds andbloom best under short day conditions (less than 12 hours of sunlightfor a period of 6 weeks) and cool night temperatures between 15° C. and18° C. Plants of ‘PKMSC01’ are grown under an average day temperate of18° C. and an average night temperature of 18° C. Ambient light levelsof +120W m2 were used and no growth retardants were applied when growingplants of ‘PKMSC01’.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 4^(th) edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. The photographs and descriptions were takenduring the winter season of 2009 in Fyn, Denmark, when outdoor daytemperatures averaged 5° C. and outdoor night temperatures averaged 0°C. The age of the plants described is about 24 weeks after rooting ofcutting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Schlumbergera truncata.        -   Common name.—Christmas Cactus.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Unnamed, unpatented proprietary            Schlumbergera truncate (Haworth) Moran. cultivar.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Unnamed, unpatented proprietary            Schlumbergera truncate (Haworth) Moran. cultivar.-   Propagation: By single, mature phylloclade cuttings.    -   -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—In a greenhouse,            about 16 days at 21° C.        -   Time and temperature to produce a rooted cutting.—In a            greenhouse, about 16 days at at 21° C.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fine, fibrous and            well-branched.-   Plant:    -   -   Type.—Perennial, Epiphyte.        -   Growth habit.—Young plants have erect and upright habit.            Mature plants become slightly pendent as lateral branches            lengthen.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching, with two or three            phyllocladia forming at the apical ends of older            phyllocladia. Single or double (seldom triple) sessile            flowers borne on apical end of phylloclade.        -   Vigor.—Slow growth rate.        -   Crop time.—After rooting of mature phylloclade cutting,            about 24 weeks are required to produce a finished flowering            plant in an 9 cm pot.        -   Size at maturity.—Height (soil level to top of plant,            including flowers): About 15 cm. Spread: About 24 cm to 25            cm.-   Stem: None, older phyllocladia may turn woody with age (several    years).-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Arrangement.—Phyllocladia form at the apical end of older            phyllocladia to form branches.        -   Branching habit.—Freely.        -   Basal branching.—Yes.        -   Quantity.—About 6 to 12.        -   Length.—Primary: About 10 cm (3-4 phylloclade). Secondary:            About 4 cm to 5 cm (1-2 phyllocladia).        -   Width.—About 3 cm to 4 cm.        -   Aspect.—Upright (from basal phylloclade).        -   Strength.—Strong (from basal phylloclade).        -   Appearance.—Glabrous, smooth.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Color.—Green, RHS 137A.-   Phylloclade:    -   -   Arrangement.—Single and sequential.        -   Quantity per lateral branch.—About 3 to 4.        -   Length.—About 3 cm to 4 cm.        -   Width.—About 3 cm to 4 cm.        -   Thickness.—About 4 mm (center of phylloclade).        -   Overall shape.—Oval.        -   Apex shape.—Truncate with 2 protruding marginal teeth (about            5 mm to 6 mm in length), forming a claw-like shape.        -   Base shape.—Rounded.        -   Margin.—Serrated; about 2 to 4 teeth (about 6 mm to 7 mm in            length).        -   Texture.—Glabrous, smooth.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Color (mature).—Upper surface: Green, RHS 137C; Under            surface: Green, RHS 137C; Margin: Green, RHS 137C.        -   Color (immature).—Upper surface: Green, RHS 137A; Under            surface: Green, RHS 137A; Margin: Green, RHS 137C.        -   Venation.—Pattern: Costate. Color: Upper surface: Green, RHS            137A; Lower surface: Green, RHS 137A.-   Areole: Not true areole structure; tip of phylloclade is    barbellulate with about 10 to 15 stiff hairs.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Arrangement and appearance.—Single or double (seldom triple)            sessile flowers borne on apical end of phyllocladia. Flowers            are hose-in-hose, tubular and zygomorphic. When flowers are            fully open, they form a right angle to the phylloclade.            Flowers persistent; petals fold and wither slowly.        -   Natural flowering season.—Flowering occurs from October to            January (Northern hemisphere), but can be changed depending            on short day photo-treatments.        -   Flowering response time.—About 8 to 9 weeks from planting.        -   Rate of flowers opening.—About 1 to 2 per week, depending on            temperature and light.        -   Flowering longevity (dependent on temperature and light            conditions).—About 5 to 6 days.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Quantity of flowers per lateral branch.—About 1 to 3.        -   Quantity of buds per lateral branch.—About 2.        -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—About 25 to 30.        -   Flower bud.—Length: Ranging from 0 to 3.5 cm (before            anthesis). Width: Ranging up to 1 cm (before anthesis).            Shape: Ovoid to lanceolate. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 145D.        -   Flower.—Type: Single. Shape: Tubular, hose-in-hose triple            perianth. Aspect: Initially upright, later facing outward            (right angle to phylloclade). Persistent or self-cleaning:            Persistent, but drops after withering.        -   Corolla size.—Depth: About 7 cm (including ovary). Diameter:            About 5 cm to 6 cm. Tube length: About 4 cm. Tube diameter:            About 8 mm.        -   Petals.—Quantity: Apical Whorl: About 5 to 7; Basal whorl:            About 10. Length: About 2.6 cm to 4.2 cm. Width: About 1.5            cm to 2.0 cm. Shape: Oval. Apex: Retuse. Base: Apical Whorl:            Fused; Basal Whorl: Free. Margin: Entire. Appearance:            Smooth. Texture: Silky (both surfaces). Color of Upper            Surface (when opening and when fully opened): Lobe:            Red-purple, RHS 68A; Tube: White, RHS NN155D. Color of Under            Surface (when opening and when fully opened): Lobe:            Red-purple, RHS 68A; Tube: White, RHS NN155D. Color Fades            to: Lobe: Red-purple, RHS 68A; Tube: Orange-yellow, RHS 19C.        -   Petaloids.—None.        -   Calyx.—Shape: Tube. Length: Up to 10 mm. Diameter: Up to 5            mm.        -   Sepals.—Appearance: Bud-like. Arrangement: Free. Quantity:            About 4. Length: Up to 10 mm. Width: Up to 8 mm. Shape:            Ovate. Apex: Obtuse to rounded. Base: Truncate. Margin:            Entire. Texture (both surfaces): Silky. Color (Immature and            Mature): Upper and Under Surfaces: Yellow-green, RHS 145C.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Quantity: Many (about 50 to 70),            polyandrous, incurved. Some filaments fused to perianth tube            (connate); about 5 mm from receptacle. Length: About 50 mm.            Color: Translucent, white, RHS 155D. Anther: Shape:            Basifixed, ovoid. Length: About 1 mm. Color: Yellow-orange,            RHS 17A. Filament: Length: About 40 mm to 45 mm. Color:            Translucent, white, RHS 155D. Pollen: Amount: Abundant.            Color: Yellow-orange, RHS 17A.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistil: Quantity: 1. Shape: Slightly curved.            Length: About 60 mm. Stigma: Shape: Claw-like. Color:            Red-purple, RHS 78A, with RHS 77A at tip. Style: Length:            About 45 mm. Color: White, RHS 155D. Ovary: Shape: Angular.            Length: About 4 mm to 5 mm. Width: About 3 mm. Color:            Yellow-green, RHS 149D.-   Seeds/fruit: None observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: No test for disease/pest resistance have    been performed yet.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: No test for disease/pest resistance    have been performed yet.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about +2° C.    and to a high temperature about +40° C.-   Drought tolerance: Good.

1. A new and distinct Schlumbergera truncata plant named ‘PKMSC01’, asillustrated and described herein.